James R. Hoover

James R. Hoover, 88, of Danville, passed away at 4:45 a.m. Friday, August 17th, 2012 at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center. James was born on March 11th, 1924, in Blount Township, Northwest of Danville, the son of Marion E. and Bonnie A. (Claypool) Hoover. He later moved to Danville and attended First Grade at Fairchild School. His family moved to Bismarck when his father died in 1934. James attended Bismarck Grade and High School, graduating in 1941. His family attended the Northside Church of Christ where he was baptized. James worked at the Grab It Here and Musebeck Shoe Factory until he was called to the service in 1943. He served in the Army Air Corp in Laredo, Texas where he helped maintain power turrets so the gunnery students could learn to protect their bombers. He was discharged in 1946. James was on furlough in 1945 when he met the love of his life, Georgia Lekos. They were married December 31st, 1946 in a church in Urbana. They had a wonderful life together until Georgia's death October 23rd, 2009. Together they enjoyed the outdoors, camping (Danville Camping Club) and later motor homing, especially to the Gulf in Alabama and all points back home. James worked at the telephone company for 37 years, retiring in 1983 when it was Illinois Bell. He belonged to Telephone Pioneers and American Legion Survivors include two children- Bruce A. (Stefanie Van Gulden) Hoover of Rhoadesville, Virginia and Sandra L. Hoover of Warrenville, Illinois. There are three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He has two sisters- Clarice Cain in Ohio and Eleanor Sizelove in Indiana and one sister-in-law- Janet Hoover of Danville. He was preceded in death by one sister, three brothers and one grandson. Per his wishes he will be cremated and laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, a Life Celebration Home is in charge of arrangements. Please join the family in posting memories, photos or videos on his tribute wall at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.